62 firearms turned in at gun buy back

Tuesday

Jun 3, 2014 at 1:10 PMJun 3, 2014 at 2:11 PM

Belmont Police Chief Richard J. McLaughlin said Belmont's first ever Gun Buy Back event resulted in 62 firearms being turned in to the Belmont Police.The Gun Buy Back event was held on May 31, at the DPW yard, for the purpose of allowing Belmont residents with a safe way to dispose of unwanted firearms and ammunition. The Belmont Police worked in partnership with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont Religious Council and individual Belmont houses of worship.Throughout the day a variety of firearms were turned in for disposal including, rifles, shotguns, pistols and a sawed off 12 gauge shotgun. Police are investigating the possibility that two firearms turned in on Saturday were previously reported as stolen.Gift cards were purchased from donations made by individuals, local businesses and houses of worship were given out in exchange for the firearms. $5,000 was raised by the Belmont Religious Council and individual houses of worship to support this event."This event demonstrates the accomplishments that can be achieved when members of the community and law enforcement partner together to work towards a common goal," said McLaughlin."Reducing the number of unwanted firearms in the community addresses important public safety and public health issues," said Jean Dickenson, chairman and founder of the Belmont Gun Buy Back Committee. Dickenson also expressed her appreciation to the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Police Department, members of the Gun Buyback Committee, individual faith communities, and local businesses and individuals who supported this program."I want to congratulate Chief McLaughlin, the Belmont Religious Council and all those who worked to organize and fund Saturday’s successful gun buyback," said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. "With more than 31,000 fatalities and 74,000 firearms-related injuries across the country each year, giving residents a way to safely dispose of these unwanted firearms makes all our communities safer. That is why this is the fourth buyback event our office has participated in since September, helping local departments safely collect and dispose of nearly 200 unwanted firearms."All firearms turned in at the Gun Buyback will be turned over to the Massachusetts State Police for destruction in accordance with the law. $2,600 in left over grocery gift cards will be donated to the Belmont Food Pantry.If residents have questions regarding the gun Buyback Program or would like information on what to do with unwanted and unused firearms and ammunition please contact Belmont Police Lt. Kristin Daley at 617-993-2554 or via email kdaley@belmontpd.org.The following individual Belmont houses of worship are co-sponsors of the event: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Belmont, Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, Beth-El Temple, First Baptist Church of Belmont, The First Church in Belmont, UU, Plymouth Congregational Church, and St. Joseph & St. Luke Collaborative Parishes.